Iowa Knifemaker's Association

ddavelarsen

ddavelarsen

Joined
Dec 7, 2000
Messages
5,179
A buddy of mine suggested we see about forming a knifemaker's association in Iowa. We are a rare breed here! So with that in mind I thought I'd put this up to see if there's anyone out there who would be interested in such a thing.

Also, Indian George, I know you guys have recently had great success getting your organization going, could you give us a few ideas in getting started? We're complete newbies at this and really have no grand plan what to do first. :)

Any suggestions in that regard would be great.

I look forward to hearing from any and all on this one.

Dave
 
I think there are about the same number of us Nebraskan's making knives as accross the missouri. Let me know how things go, I may join up. -- Charles
 
Hi,
You might have better luck with a "Midwest-Knifemakers Guild" or some such. Iowa probably has as many knifemakers as there are Armadillos.
That way you might snag upper Missouri, west Nebraska, east Illinois, and of course our friends to the north, Minnesota.
Enjoy, Expat, Ken
 
Thanks for posts,Dave, and everyone! And please keep them coming! We are serious about forming this organization, and the idea of a midwest organization sounds really good, too. We are few and widely scattered. Also, if any of you folks know of other makers that don't have a pc but would be interested, we will surely welcome them and also any output they may have. Doing this organization is more difficult than rounding up lost relatives, but the end result is really rewarding to all of us. This will also extend a hand to new folks interested in knife making, as well as us old ear chewed dogs.
 
Dave,

I'll bet you'll be surprised on how rare a breed you think knifemakers are in Iowa. I didn't think there were many knifemakers around here either until I started going to a few gun and knife shows. Shoot knifemakers were coming out of the wood work, there's a lot of us. Most don't advertise, because their just hobby knifemakers, and won't make but 5 or 6 blades a year, but believe me their out there.
If you know a knifemaker that has enough room & equipment to have a hammer in. Talk to him and help him with the set up, refreshments and overall expense. If nothing else have a very small admission fee, like $5 a head, just to help cover refreshments and materials. Then get the word out, when and where it will take place, you'll be surprised who shows up. Then take names and see if they would be interested in joining a knifemakers organization. Just a throught.

Good Luck,

Bill
 
Bill I like that idea and had thought down that road a bit, but the outdoor hammer-in suggestion is much better than what I had in mind.

Ken, I think you're right. How far do you suppose people would be willing to travel? Personally more than a couple hours would put me out of the running.

But Charles chimed right in, so maybe I'm the odd member of the bunch. :D No one would argue that... :D

John, thanks, you got it just right. I think you should do all the talking, you're a regular socialite! :cool:

I wonder where the best place to advertise a get together would be? Knife World has a lot of club ads but I wonder how many makers subscribe? For sure we'll put the word out on all the forums, which I need to get with tonight...

Thanks again, keep it rollin.

dave
 
Hey Dave if there is not already enough for an asosiation why not run a couple of week end bigginer classes. I've seen your work you have the skill for it.

The course I just assisted with was limited to 6 students run at a forrest heritage center. www.forestheritagecentre.com.au they had the insurance coverage and the facilities.

Thomas GERNER and I supplied the grinders and materials, forges etc

3 blokes traveled 400 miles to be in it and paid for the pleasure.
 
Hi,
I currently drive 3 hours to get to the North Carolina Knifemakers Guild meetings. It is especially worth it for the two day meetings with 4 or 5 demonstrators. Having a variety of demonstrators gives you a good cross section of skills. It also, perhaps most importantly, keeps the work on the demonstrator to a minimum and allows time for others to try things. Some demonstrators don't want to be there the whole two days so plan for that.
Also, remember training from allied crafts. The leather work demonstrator doesn't have to be a sheath maker to teach tooling. Inlays can be taught by any competent jewler, etc.
Enjoy, Ken
 
I'm in Minnesota and I would be interested in a gathering. I'm always lamenting the fact that we don't have any knife events around here. There are always a few knifemakers at the gun shows but it would be nice to get some fellow knifemakers together.
 
Thankyou for the compliment, Dave. I'll do what I can, and having weekends off helps, too. This whole ball of wax is sounding better all the time, and we sure appreciate all the response we can get here, folks.
 
I will be moving from Fargo, ND to Mankato, MN in May. (any makers around there?)
I'd be interested in an upper midwest type of deal. Since I used to live in Ankeny (just north of Des Moines) and have a buddy there that owes me beer or two, I'd be up for a trip back to DSM for a hammer in -- or what ever...
Keep us posted.
 
Righteous! Naturally, we have more people from surrounding states than from Iowa! :D That's just par, ain't it John?! I'll collect email addresses, and would anyone interested please send me their snail mail address also, as we're putting together a short letter to go out to all the addresses we can find. :) So you don't have to look it up, my email is dclarsen@mchsi.com .

Great response, looking forward to getting this rolling! Any of you have specialties to demonstrate?

Dave
 
Hey Dave,

Too late I found this post. I just sent you an email concerning a possible get together. I am from the Mt Pleasant area (the host of Old Threshers) and am just now trying to get started in the field myself. I would love the opportunity to get together with other knifemakers from the area.

Greeting to John A. over in Burlington. Just happens to be my own hometown! :D

Look foward to the fun. Also, I know of another newbie in the area who we could probably draw in too.

Thnx,
Steve
 
Don't forget those of us in South Dakota! I'm near Sioux Falls and I think I met ya at a gun show a while back. There are a few of us in this corner.

Jamie
 
Steve, check your email. It'd be great to find a local show we could all go to, I'm open for suggestions. For whatever reason, September always seems to be a busy month for me, though, and I don't seem to be able to break away for either of the likely September shows - Chicago or Blade West.
 
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